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The VCU Project:Virtual Colleges and Universities in Transition
SHEEO Professional Development Conference
August 15, 2002
The Organization Life Cycle
Kanter, Stein, Jick (1992)The Challenge of Organizational Change
Higher Education in Transition
Entrepreneurial
Maturity
Founding
Growth
RationalSystems
Differentiationof Functions
Administrative Proliferation
Decline
Venture Units
The system should provide for new pilot or demonstration sites to be established within the system that are separate, preferably isolated from, other units so as to increase the chances for innovation and improvement.
Terrence J. MacTaggart (1996)Restructuring Higher Education:
Why a VCU?
We have launched…a number of such experiments, aimed at understanding and possibly defining the nature of higher education in the twenty-first century.”
Katz (1999)Dancing With the Devil
Understanding VCU Success
“It is questionable how far these consortial efforts, as currently constructed, can go toward meeting their key goal(s)…”
Carol TwiggThe Learning MarketSpace
January 1, 2002
VCU Project Goals
Determine and describe the types of VCU models in use by states
Identify and understand statewide goals for VCUs
Determine and describe major successes, failures, and unexpected outcomes
Principle Investigators
Rhonda M. EpperDirector of Online Program Development, Community College of Denver
Myk GarnChief Academic Officer, Kentucky Virtual University
Research assistance provided by:
Susan Winter, SHEEO Webmaster/Policy Analyst
Advisory Team
Fred HurstDean of Distance Learning, Northern Arizona University
Sally JohnstoneExecutive Director, WCET
Val LewisCommissioner, Connecticut Department of Higher
Education
Paul LingenfelterExecutive Director, SHEEO
Tad PerryExecutive Director, South Dakota Board of Regents
VCU Project Phases
VCU Literature Review
2002 SHEEO/WCET VCU Survey
Follow-up interviews
SHEEO Report
WCET – Hewlett Edutools Policy Page
Research Questions
Are virtual universities meeting statewide goals for which they were created?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of different organizational models?
What are the major successes, failures, and unexpected outcomes of virtual universities?
What is the long-term future of virtual universities?
Pew Symposium
“Expanding Access to Learning:
The Role of Virtual Universities”
July 18-19, Aspen, Colorado
Monograph to be published based on meeting
Literature Review
100+ studies, articles, state reports
15-20 core resourcesGoals, mission, organizational structure, financial models, collaboration models, policies that enable VCU to operate effectively in a state
Ways to describe VCUs: Taxonomies
Taxonomies
David Wolf/Sally Johnstone
Burke Smith
Fred Hurst
NGA Report “State of E-Learning”
Types of VCUs
Wolf/Johnstone TaxonomyChange Magazine, July/August 1999
Three types of non-consortia VCUs
Four types of consortia VCUs
Consortia VCUs
Work with accredited institutions, may or may not have physical campuses, have centralized or coordinated services, and have differing degrees of articulation between participating institutions.
Our Definition of VCU
The VCU Project will focus on entities and endeavors that operate primarily within single states and that were founded by, or comprise membership of, the state's public higher education institutions. These models appear to occur in two VCU forms - systemwide and statewide.
Goals of VCUs
Expand access
Increase economic development
Improve transfer among institutions
Reduce costs
Provide for a better educated workforce
Improve responsiveness of institutions to state’s needs
Funding Models of VCUs
Direct state appropriation
Fees from services to provider institutions
Tuition/fees charged by VCU
Partial tuition (e.g., split with provider)
FTE funding from state
Membership fees
Donations/partnerships with private sector
Services Provided
Library services
Online catalog
Online application
Online registration
E-commerce
Bookstore
Technical help desk
Academic help desk (e.g., tutoring)
Online financial aid
Coordination of test sites and proctoring
Marketing
Faculty/staff training and development
Course hosting
Internet Service Provider (ISP)
Market Drivers
Audience (Adult Education, Continuing Education, Professional Development, Traditional Academic, Workforce Development, Developmental Education, High School)
Sector/Credential (Certificate, AA/S, BA/S, MA/S, PhD)
Primary/Emerging Disciplines
External Competition
Barriers and Unexpected Outcomes
Barriers:Political struggles among institutionsFixation with institutional needs
Unexpected Outcomes:Growth in enrollmentsCommitment to collaborationStudent services became more seamless as a result of VCU.
Enabling Policies
“Home College” model
Common course numbering
Statewide or systemwide articulation
Clear policies on intellectual property rights
Common tuition (e-rate) for online courses
Joint program development
Revenue/cost sharing agreements
Future of VCUs
“At a certain point in history, they may have been the lubricant needed for a massive shifting of the gears in higher education. For state virtual universities, the moment may be passing.”
-- Julie Porosky, MarylandOnline
The notion that VCUs are not needed is “likely to be a ‘cover argument’ by individual campuses to avoid collaboration. . . Following this path would lead to destructive competition, poorly served students, and very unhappy stakeholders and funders.”
-- Jack Wilson, UMassOnline
Quotes from Pew Symposium, July 2002
